I must have dozed off because when I opened my eyes again, I could move every part of my body. My fingers were beyond numb.
I rolled over to my side then let out a little whimper when a hundred million needles started poking at my fingers as they filled with blood again. I had no idea how long I'd been lying on them, but I was lucky I could still move them.
The rest of me wasn't in too much better shape. I kind of felt as if I'd been run over with a truck. A really big truck. My muscles ached as if I'd overused them. Considering how many times I'd been shocked, that wasn't surprising.
The door opened and the two guards from before walked in. I whimpered and tried to wiggle back when they crossed the room to me. It did me no good. They grabbed me and dragged me to my feet before leading me out of the room. I was taken back to the room I'd been in before then strapped back down to the table.
"Now, Kaito, shall we try this again?" Atkins said as he stepped into view in front of me. "Where is Danny?"
Even knowing what was coming, I replied, "I don't know."
I screamed as my entire body went stiff with pure agony, electrical currents racing through my body. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think. I couldn't do anything even though I felt as if I was dying.
When the current stopped, I slumped on the table.
"Where is my pet, Kaito?"
Tears leaked from my eyes. "I don't know."
I could barely raise a cry when I was shocked again. This time it seemed to go on forever. It was probably only a few seconds.
"Where is my pet?" Atkins asked again. "I know you know. My men have watched you. I know you are friends with Danny. Just tell me where he is, and all of this can end."
I had no doubt it would end, but Danny's life of torture would go on and on. I couldn't do that to one of my best friends. I didn't care what it meant for me. Danny was too sweet and innocent to spend a lifetime as Atkins' pet.
"I don't know."
I closed my eyes mere seconds before several volts of electricity ripped through my body. Tears leaked out from under my closed eyelids, trailing down my cheek. Even if my hands had been free, I didn't have the ability to wipe them away. I doubted I could lift my arms.
"Take him to his room," Atkins said. "We'll try this again in the morning."
"Do you want us to get him cleaned up for the buyer, sir?" one of the guards asked.
"No, I've delayed our meeting until I get what I need. Once Kaito has told me where my pet is, I'll call the buyer to come get him."
I hated him.
"You've sold him then?" one of the guards asked. I think it was the black-haired one, but I wasn't positive. It sounded like him.
"Yes, an associate of mine in the Middle East has expressed an interest in him. If it doesn't work out, I'm sure he'll have someplace to dispose of him."
Dispose…what a way to word killing someone.
Or worse.
I was unbuckled and carried back to my room. This time, my hands weren't restrained behind me, but it wouldn't have mattered if they were. I didn't have the strength to lift them. I was dumped on my bed, and then the two men walked out of the room, shutting and locking the door behind them.
I don't know how long this went on. Time melted together, hours turning into more hours, possibly days. I went through a never-ending cycle of being shocked then questioned, then shocked some more before being given time to recover before it started all over again. I vaguely recalled being given food and water, but most everything was a blur of pain and agony.
I was positive I was going to die.
I couldn't have shifted even if I'd wanted to. I just didn't have energy. All I could manage to do was lie there waiting for them to come for me again. And come for me they did, over and over again. The questions never changed, and my answer was always the same. I didn't know where Danny was.
At some point, my ability to communicate with the other members of the geek squad faded. I was pretty sure it was a combination of the drugs they were giving me and the shocks to my system. Or both. I just knew I couldn't call for help even if I was free.
My heart thundered in my chest, and I whimpered in fear when the door opened and the dark-haired guard walked in. I knew I didn't have the strength to get away. I could barely whimper. I was close to giving in to Atkins' demands. I didn't think I could take any more torture.
Surprisingly, there wasn't a mark on me.
